Prevalence of Short Stature Among Children Aged 5-12 Years Old in Taif City, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Short stature is one of the most common and frequent diagnosis in children investigated by pediatricians in everyday practice. The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of short stature in children between 5 to 12 years of age in Taif City, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study performed on children where height was measured for all participants and an average of three measurements was recorded. A questionnaire on various parameters influencing short stature such as height of parents, birth history, history of illness, family history of short stature and chronic illness were completed by the children’s guardian. Results: Out of 314 children, 188 children were male (59.87%) and 126 were female (40.13%). The overall prevalence rate of short stature was 33.68%. Regarding male participants, 29 were identified as short stature (15.43%) compared to 23 females that were identified as short stature (18.25%). One male and two females with short stature were born prematurely. The most common etiology for short stature was familial short stature with 40.8% followed by malnutrition which was 24.2%. Growth hormone deficiency was the most common endocrinological cause for short stature (9.7%) followed by hypothyroidism (7.6%). Chronic kidney disease was the most common non-endocrinological cause (3.4%). Meanwhile, other disorders were found such as celiac disease (0.5%) and Turner’s Syndrome (0.3%).